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October 30, 2025
 

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National security adviser Keiichi Ichikawa (fourth from right) is seen on stage as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump review an honor guard of the Self-Defense Forces at the Akasaka State Guest House in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Who is Keiichi Ichikawa, Takaichi’s new national security adviser?
Ichikawa is expected to play a leading role in the prime minister’s ambitious endeavors on the diplomatic and security front.
JAPAN / Politics
Japan parties agree to make high school education free in fiscal 2026
The Liberal Democratic Party, the Japan Innovation Party and Komeito also agreed to raise the upper limit for existing subsidies for private high school students.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Takaichi buys time and builds trust with ‘near-perfect’ Trump summit
Experts called the PM’s meeting with the U.S. president an “overwhelming success,” especially considering the tumult and uncertainty in bilateral relations over the past year.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi shake hands at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 29, 2025
Hegseth says U.S. never demanded Japan defense spending hike
By Jesse Johnson and Gabriel Dominguez
In his first meeting with Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, U.S. defense chief Pete Hegseth called Japan's current defense spending plans “wonderful.”
Haruo Kataoka (center) applauds after being reelected as mayor of Suttsu in Hokkaido, in the town on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 29, 2025
Hokkaido town mayor backing nuclear waste survey reelected
The 76-year-old independent incumbent, Haruo Kataoka, defeated former town council member Shingo Ogushi.
Liberal Democratic Party policy chief Takayuki Kobayashi speaks to reporters at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 29, 2025
LDP and JIP to set up joint policy conference
The LDP aims to make it clear that JIP is responsible for running the government as a member of the ruling coalition even though it has no Cabinet posts.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi gifts U.S. President Donald Trump a putter owned by late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a golf bag signed by Hideki Matsuyama and a gold leaf golf ball in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 29, 2025
With gifts and hospitality, Takaichi taps Abe's legacy to forge bond with Trump
By Kiyoshi Takenaka and John Geddie
Talk turned to Abe as soon as the U.S. leader stepped into the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo to exchange pleasantries with Japan's recently appointed prime minister.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi raises her fist as U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a speech in front of U.S. Navy personnel on board the U.S. Navy's USS George Washington aircraft carrier at the American naval base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 28, 2025
At first summit with Trump, Takaichi pledges 'new golden age' for alliance
By Jesse Johnson, Gabriele Ninivaggi, Gabriel Dominguez and Francis Tang
The meeting was a crucial test of Takaichi’s diplomatic chops as she seeks to elevate the Japan-U.S. alliance while staving off pressure from the U.S. on defense spending.
Pham Minh Chinh, Vietnam’s prime minister, at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 28, 2025
Japan and Vietnam agree to promote exchanges
Vietnam's prime minister called for Japanese cooperation in areas such as technology, semiconductors and energy.
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi (right) and Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura pose for a picture after signing an agreement to form a coalition, at the National Diet Building in Tokyo on Oct 20.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 28, 2025
Smaller parties set to suffer most if LDP and JIP reduce Lower House seats
By Eric Johnston
Smaller parties such as Komeito could lose out the most if a bill is passed to reduce Lower House seats by 10%.
Former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba calls for the swift restoration of a deleted section of a 1940 parliamentary record containing an anti-military speech criticizing Japan's war with China, on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 28, 2025
Ishiba wants 1940 anti-military speech record restored
Lawmaker Takao Saito denounced Japan's military campaign in China, and was subsequently expelled from the lower chamber of the Diet.
Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya (center right) and others submit a bill to revise the Penal Code to House of Councilors Secretary-General Fumitake Kobayashi (center left) at parliament on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 28, 2025
Sanseito submits bill to punish desecrating the Japanese flag
While damaging or defacing a foreign national flag with the intent to insult can result in imprisonment or a fine, there is no similar provision for the Japanese flag.
Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Takayuki Kobayashi answers questions during the LDP presidential election candidates' joint news conference at party headquarters in Tokyo on Sept. 23.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 27, 2025
LDP policy chief ramps up moves to ease rules on exporting lethal defense gear
By Jesse Johnson
The LDP's Takayuki Kobayashi said that he intends to push for relaxing the regulations in order to “contribute to world peace” and strengthen Japan’s defense industry.
U.S. President Donald Trump is welcomed by Emperor Naruhito upon his arrival at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Monday evening.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 27, 2025
Trump arrives in Japan for security and trade talks in test for Takaichi
By Jesse Johnson
The prime minister will be seeking to build a solid relationship with the U.S. president as she looks to navigate increasing pressure on trade and defense issues.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at the White House in Washington last week. He is scheduled to hold talks with Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in Japan on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 27, 2025
U.S. defense chief to make Japan stop in Indo-Pacific visit
Pete Hegseth will meet Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi for talks on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi looks on as Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders attend the opening of bloc's summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 27, 2025
In diplomatic debut, Takaichi chooses continuity at ASEAN summit
By Jesse Johnson and Gabriel Dominguez
New Prime Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi put fears of a more hawkish approach to China on the backburner as she promised boosted ties with Southeast Asia.
Yoshihiro Murai, 65, celebrates his victory in the Miyagi gubernatorial election on Sunday night.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 27, 2025
Yoshihiro Murai clinches sixth term as Miyagi governor
Murai had the backing of prefectural assembly members of the Liberal Democratic Party, Japan Innovation Party and Komeito.
Komeito Secretary-General Makoto Nishida speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Oct. 14. He recently said that his party may give its backing to candidates of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan in future parliamentary elections.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 27, 2025
Komeito executive says party may support CDP candidates
The comments follow Komeito's departure from the ruling coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party earlier this month, partly due to discord over regulating political donations.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi takes a group photo with other leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations during the ASEAN-Japan summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 27, 2025
Takaichi makes diplomatic debut with ASEAN maritime security and AI pledge
By Jesse Johnson
New Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged to strengthen cooperation on maritime security, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reacts as East Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao greets her during the ASEAN-Japan summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 26, 2025
Takaichi’s ‘Trump card’ for meeting U.S. leader? Her relationship with Abe.
By Jesse Johnson
Sanae Takaichi’s ties to slain former leader Shinzo Abe are expected to get her off on the right foot with Donald Trump as she aims to navigate defense and trade pressure.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivers her policy speech at a Lower House plenary session on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 26, 2025
Concern raised over proposed cut in Lower House seats
JIP is calling for a cut of about 50 proportional representation seats in the all-important lower chamber of parliament.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi departs Tokyo for an Association of Southeast Asian Nations' leaders' summit in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 26, 2025
Takaichi says boosting Japan-U.S. alliance ‘top priority’ in first call with Trump
By Jesse Johnson
Potentially contentious defense and economic issues are expected to top the agenda of the prime minister’s meeting with Trump on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives for an extraordinary session of parliament in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 25, 2025
Takaichi to make diplomatic debut at ASEAN summit in Malaysia
Japan's new leader will also hold a high-profile summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Tokyo and then travel to South Korea for APEC meetings.

Inside Tokyo's 'phantom' stations — and the stories they tell
Mamoru Iwai, stationmaster of Keisei Ueno Station, says that, other than earthquake-proofing, the former Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen (Museum-Zoo) Station has remained untouched.
At first summit with Trump, Takaichi pledges 'new golden age' for alliance
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi raises her fist as U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a speech in front of U.S. Navy personnel on board the U.S. Navy's USS George Washington aircraft carrier at the American naval base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Tuesday.
Abe shooting suspect Yamagami pleads guilty to murder
Members of the media gather outside the Nara District Court in the city of Nara on Tuesday hours before the start of the trial of Tetsuya Yamagami, the man accused of fatally shooting former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July 2022.
Takaichi buys time and builds trust with ‘near-perfect’ Trump summit
U.S. President Donald Trump walks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aboard the USS George Washington aircraft carrier during a visit to the U.S. Navy's Yokosuka base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Tuesday.
JPYC, world’s first yen stablecoin, is issued
Noritaka Okabe, head of Japanese startup JPYC, at a news conference for the first yen stablecoin in Tokyo on Monday
At Japan Mobility Show, BYD gears up to conquer Japan's EV market
BYD Auto Japan President Atsuki Tofukuji unveils the Racco at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Oasis returns to Tokyo: Rain, rapture and rock
Fans wait to get into the Oasis show at Tokyo Dome on Saturday. While lining up in the rain, some broke into impromptu versions of the British rock group's hits.
Kyushu banzuke sets the stage to cement 2025’s sumo narratives
Onosato ahead of his bout against Aonishiki at The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Oct. 18
Tokyo Film Festival opens with global stars and a spotlight on Asian storytelling
Director Junji Sakamoto (left) walked the Tokyo International Film Festival red carpet with Sayuri Yoshinaga (center) and Non (right), who both play mountaineer Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Mount Everest, in the biopic "Climbing for Life."
Spanish artist and Japanese writer duos diversify the manga talent pool in Japan
"Menheim” is a dark fantasy manga with a story that centers on a girl’s quest to find a cure for her ill brother.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Mamoru Iwai, stationmaster of Keisei Ueno Station, says that, other than earthquake-proofing, the former Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen (Museum-Zoo) Station has remained untouched.
Inside Tokyo's 'phantom' stations — and the stories they tell
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

We are pleased to announce the winners of the 6th annual Sustainable Japan Award.
We are pleased to announce the winners of the 6th annual Sustainable Japan Award.

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